Premier League: Palmer Scores and Assists as Chelsea Beat Fulham 3-2 in Opening Match

At 3:00 a.m. Beijing time on August 25, 2026, Fulham hosted Chelsea at Craven Cottage in the first round of the 2026/27 Premier League season. Both teams finished 11th last season, making this opening match of the new campaign significant. In the first half, both sides created chances, with Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers scoring for Chelsea and Joshua equalizing for Fulham. In the second half, Palmer and Torres Gonzalo Garcia each scored, and Chelsea eventually secured a 3-2 away victory over Fulham in a tightly contested match to start the new season with a win.

【Match Process】

1st minute, Chelsea launched a quick attack, with Palmer assisting Joao Pedro, who finished with a low shot. Chelsea 1-0 Fulham.

8th minute, Chelsea's Palmer struck the post with a powerful shot inside the penalty area, narrowly missing a chance to extend the lead.

20th minute, Fulham's Joshua hit the post with a shot inside the penalty area and missed a good opportunity.

23rd minute, Castagne assisted Joshua, who scored with a close-range finish. Fulham 1-1 Chelsea.

34th minute, Chelsea's Morgan Rogers fired a long-range effort from outside the penalty area just wide.

41st minute, Lacroix assisted Morgan Rogers, who scored with a low finish. Chelsea regained the lead at 2-1.

At halftime, Chelsea led Fulham 2-1.

49th minute, Joao Pedro assisted Palmer, who scored with a low shot. Chelsea 3-1 Fulham.

54th minute, Fulham's Castagne hit the post, and Torres Gonzalo Garcia scored with a header on the follow-up. Fulham 2-3 Chelsea.

65th minute, Chelsea made two substitutions, bringing on Enzo Fernandez and Pepe Chavarria.

67th minute, Fulham replaced Oscar Bobb with Shea Charles to strengthen the midfield.

73rd minute, Fulham made consecutive substitutions, bringing on Kevin and Ryan Sessegnon.

76th minute, Chelsea replaced Malo Gusto with Pedro Neto.

82nd minute, Fulham replaced Robinson with Muniz. Chelsea then made substitutions in the 83rd minute, bringing on Jorrel Hato? Giovanni Quenda and Estevao for Morgan Rogers and Palmer.

90+5th minute, Fulham's Muniz hit the post with a close-range follow-up, missing the chance to equalize.

The match ended with Chelsea defeating Fulham 3-2.

【Lineups】

Fulham: 1-Leno, 21-Castagne, 33-Robinson (82' 9-Muniz), 3-Bassey, 4-Jorge Cuenca, 16-Sander Berge (73' 30-Ryan Sessegnon), 24-Joshua, 8-Cesar Palacios (73' 11-Kevin), 14-Oscar Bobb (67' 19-Shea Charles), 17-Alex, 7-Torres Gonzalo Garcia.

Chelsea: 1-Sanchez, 6-Colwill, 5-Maxence Lacroix, 27-Malo Gusto (76' 7-Pedro Neto), 21-Hato (65' 29-Pepe Chavarria), 24-James, 45-Lavia (65' 8-Enzo Fernandez), 34-Achimponge, 17-Morgan Rogers (83' 23-Giovanni Quenda), 10-Palmer (83' 41-Estevao), 9-Joao Pedro.